Rod Gould, ED.M., M.P.A, B.A.

Senior Advisor

Former City Manager of Santa Monica, CAFormer City Manager of Poway, CAFormer City Manager of San Rafael, CAFormer City Manager of Monrovia, CAFormer Assistant City Manager of Walnut Creek, CA

Rod Gould has successfully managed five cities over 29 years in both northern and southern California. He has also held leadership roles in the city management profession, including serving as a Vice President of the International City and County Management Association (ICMA), on the Board of Directors of the League of California Cites and as President of the City Managers Department and currently serves on the boards of the Institute for Local Government, Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at Pepperdine University, and SAGE Publication’s “State and Local Government Review.”

Rod Gould has taught at USC’s Price School of Public Policy, San Francisco State University and California State University Long Beach in the MPA programs and the Stanford Local Government Institute and has served as city manager in residence at Stanford, Pepperdine, USC, Cornell, and Berkeley.

He authors articles for professional publications, lectures at graduate schools, speaks at conferences, provides professional training and consultation, mentors young professionals and has been honored by his peers and various organizations over the years.

Prior to city management, Rod worked as a management consultant for a Big Eight firm and the Boston Housing Authority, served as a VISTA volunteer in the Mission District in San Francisco and worked several summers in Washington, D.C. in the Secretary’s Office of HHS and HEW.

Rod Gould studied public management and finance in graduate school at Harvard University and political science and economics in college at Yale.

Testimonials

It was refreshing and very helpful to have CPSM’s consultants, who have deep rooted expertise and experience in the public safety industry, as advocates for finding more efficient and cost effective deployment strategies and options that would not have otherwise been presented by the departments. This very important study will now allow the City of Salinas to make essential changes to help make our fiscal future more sustainable.

Matt N. Pressey, CPA, Finance Director

Author

2018-07-30T07:49:21+00:00

Matt N. Pressey, CPA, Finance Director

It was refreshing and very helpful to have CPSM’s consultants, who have deep rooted expertise and experience in the public safety industry, as advocates for finding more efficient and cost effective deployment strategies and options that would not have otherwise been presented by the departments. This very important study will now allow the City of Salinas to make essential changes to help make our fiscal future more sustainable.

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/matt-n-pressey-cpa-finance-director/

CPSM's report was comprehensive and enhanced my understanding of the police operation. We recognize that continuous growth and improvement is critical to our police department's continued success. CPSM did an absolutely thorough review of the operation from the front door, through the facilities, management, specialties, and support functions. The entire process and report exceeded my expectations.

Gloria Hirashima, Chief Administrative Officer

Author

2018-06-14T08:56:22+00:00

Gloria Hirashima, Chief Administrative Officer

CPSM's report was comprehensive and enhanced my understanding of the police operation. We recognize that continuous growth and improvement is critical to our police department's continued success. CPSM did an absolutely thorough review of the operation from the front door, through the facilities, management, specialties, and support functions. The entire process and report exceeded my expectations.

The CPSM team members were professionals. They were great to work with and very thorough. They were dedicated to finishing the study and presented a great report to the Board. From our standpoint, the process was as seamless as it could have been.

Mark Lamb, Sheriff of Pinal County

Author

2018-05-17T15:08:38+00:00

Mark Lamb, Sheriff of Pinal County

The CPSM team members were professionals. They were great to work with and very thorough. They were dedicated to finishing the study and presented a great report to the Board. From our standpoint, the process was as seamless as it could have been.

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/mark-lamb-sheriff-of-pinal-county/

CPSM gave us everything we asked for and more. Quite honestly, I wish I had contracted for this report sooner, and I really can’t see myself ever taking another CEO job in law enforcement without making a CPSM evaluation part of my negotiation for employment. I want to personally thank Leonard and his team for an amazing piece of work.

CPSM gave us everything we asked for and more. Quite honestly, I wish I had contracted for this report sooner, and I really can’t see myself ever taking another CEO job in law enforcement without making a CPSM evaluation part of my negotiation for employment. I want to personally thank Leonard and his team for an amazing piece of work.

Morgan Hill Fire and South Santa Clara County Fire Dist. contracted with CPSM to address the departments separately and together as we work in a regional model. CPSM was professional and timely in the report submission. The report was clear and concise with attainable recommendations, while being easy to present to and understand by policy makers and the public.

Derek J. Witmer, Fire Chief of CAL FIRE, Santa Clara Unit

Author

2018-02-25T01:00:48+00:00

Derek J. Witmer, Fire Chief of CAL FIRE, Santa Clara Unit

Morgan Hill Fire and South Santa Clara County Fire Dist. contracted with CPSM to address the departments separately and together as we work in a regional model. CPSM was professional and timely in the report submission. The report was clear and concise with attainable recommendations, while being easy to present to and understand by policy makers and the public.

The City of Sugar Land has used CPSM successfully since the fall of 2016. CPSM completed their work, presenting over 20 suggestions for improvement in our Fire Department Overtime Exposure. After that positive experience, we decided to retain CPSM to do a complete management study of the Fire Department. Finally, this fiscal year, we have again retained CPSM to do a management study of our Police Department. The City of Sugar Land has received excellent results at a reasonable value from CPSM.

Stephen Griffith, First Assistant City Manager

Author

2018-02-21T11:52:37+00:00

Stephen Griffith, First Assistant City Manager

The City of Sugar Land has used CPSM successfully since the fall of 2016. CPSM completed their work, presenting over 20 suggestions for improvement in our Fire Department Overtime Exposure. After that positive experience, we decided to retain CPSM to do a complete management study of the Fire Department. Finally, this fiscal year, we have again retained CPSM to do a management study of our Police Department. The City of Sugar Land has received excellent results at a reasonable value from CPSM.

Working with staff from CPSM was a pleasure through every facet of the project: from the kick-off meeting to discussing the final report, staff from CPSM was responsive, communicative, professional, and knowledgeable. The team that conducted the on-site assessment was comprised of professionals that provided great advice and insight. We are very appreciative of their efforts and the resulting report, coupled with our strategic plan, has given us a roadmap to improve our operations.

Alvaro Ramirez, Chief of El Centro Police Department

Author

2018-02-21T11:52:20+00:00

Alvaro Ramirez, Chief of El Centro Police Department

Working with staff from CPSM was a pleasure through every facet of the project: from the kick-off meeting to discussing the final report, staff from CPSM was responsive, communicative, professional, and knowledgeable. The team that conducted the on-site assessment was comprised of professionals that provided great advice and insight. We are very appreciative of their efforts and the resulting report, coupled with our strategic plan, has given us a roadmap to improve our operations.

Belton has achieved recognition of both our Fire and Police Departments - one of only seven cities in Texas with this distinction. CPSM's work in our community has put Belton on the path to superior public safety services, and this achievement is a continuing reflection of that.

Sam A. Listi, City Manager

Author

2018-02-21T11:52:01+00:00

Sam A. Listi, City Manager

Belton has achieved recognition of both our Fire and Police Departments - one of only seven cities in Texas with this distinction. CPSM's work in our community has put Belton on the path to superior public safety services, and this achievement is a continuing reflection of that.

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/sam-a-listi-city-manager-2/

CPSM delivers the kind of data-driven, third-party analysis that empowers local government managers to make thoughtful decisions. Because of the group's long history of delivering value to hundreds of communities, ICMA's exclusive arrangement with CPSM reflects our belief in the importance of these type of services to our membership.

Marc Ott, ICMA Executive Director

Author

2018-02-21T11:51:40+00:00

Marc Ott, ICMA Executive Director

CPSM delivers the kind of data-driven, third-party analysis that empowers local government managers to make thoughtful decisions. Because of the group's long history of delivering value to hundreds of communities, ICMA's exclusive arrangement with CPSM reflects our belief in the importance of these type of services to our membership.

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/marc-ott-icma-executive-director/

Leonard, we are collectively grateful for the great work you all did on this report. Some superb findings and recommendations, and we look forward to following up on your efforts.

City Manager, Police Chief Class Attendee

Author

2018-02-21T11:51:15+00:00

City Manager, Police Chief Class Attendee

Leonard, we are collectively grateful for the great work you all did on this report. Some superb findings and recommendations, and we look forward to following up on your efforts.

We are experiencing tremendous value out of your work. It would be a long description the numerous ways in which this is taking place. The most important perhaps is cultural with respect to the utilization of data to inform decision-making and strategy. I am impressed by and please with the extent our department is undertaking initiatives stemming from their work with your team. I not only believe but think provable the impact already occurring on crime prevention.

City Manager, Police Chief Class Attendee

Author

2018-02-21T11:50:55+00:00

City Manager, Police Chief Class Attendee

We are experiencing tremendous value out of your work. It would be a long description the numerous ways in which this is taking place. The most important perhaps is cultural with respect to the utilization of data to inform decision-making and strategy. I am impressed by and please with the extent our department is undertaking initiatives stemming from their work with your team. I not only believe but think provable the impact already occurring on crime prevention.

The content was exceptional. It's hard to evaluate our practices. Thank you for providing a reality check.

Training Participant

Author

2018-02-21T11:40:31+00:00

Training Participant

The content was exceptional. It's hard to evaluate our practices. Thank you for providing a reality check.

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/training-participant/

I am a very new city manager - this course was a gift. Your examples were perfect and moved the conversations forward. Learned a lot about my city's risk and the realities of where our wellness and safety risks exist. Thank You.

City Manager Client

Author

2018-02-21T11:40:13+00:00

City Manager Client

I am a very new city manager - this course was a gift. Your examples were perfect and moved the conversations forward. Learned a lot about my city's risk and the realities of where our wellness and safety risks exist. Thank You.

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/city-manager-client/

The concept of pairing CMs with police chiefs was great!

Police Chief Class Attendee

Author

2018-02-21T11:39:54+00:00

Police Chief Class Attendee

The concept of pairing CMs with police chiefs was great!

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/police-chief-class-attendee-4/

Awesome instructional cadre. You guys are very professional, personable and you made me laugh (in a good way) during this class. I loved it.

Police Chief Class Attendee

Author

2018-02-21T11:39:22+00:00

Police Chief Class Attendee

Awesome instructional cadre. You guys are very professional, personable and you made me laugh (in a good way) during this class. I loved it.

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/police-chief-class-attendee-3/

Simply wanted to drop you a short note to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed the program last week. It was truly thought provoking, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn from the experiences and expertise of other managers and chiefs. Thank you for putting the program together.

Police Chief Class Attendee

Author

2018-02-21T11:30:07+00:00

Police Chief Class Attendee

Simply wanted to drop you a short note to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed the program last week. It was truly thought provoking, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn from the experiences and expertise of other managers and chiefs. Thank you for putting the program together.

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/police-chief-class-attendee-2/

CPSM's team of independent advisors objectively evaluated our police operations, acknowledged where things were going well, and made actionable suggestions were improvement was needed - all backed up by comprehensive data analysis.

Police Chief Class Attendee

Author

2018-02-21T11:29:42+00:00

Police Chief Class Attendee

CPSM's team of independent advisors objectively evaluated our police operations, acknowledged where things were going well, and made actionable suggestions were improvement was needed - all backed up by comprehensive data analysis.

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/police-chief-class-attendee/

The comprehensive analysis of the operations of the Police Department and Fire Department conducted by CPSM provided staff and City Council a framework for long term planning and open dialogue. Both staff and City Council were pleased with the engagement and the technical advice provided by CPSM.

Christopher T. Shrout, City Manager

Author

2018-02-21T11:29:17+00:00

Christopher T. Shrout, City Manager

The comprehensive analysis of the operations of the Police Department and Fire Department conducted by CPSM provided staff and City Council a framework for long term planning and open dialogue. Both staff and City Council were pleased with the engagement and the technical advice provided by CPSM.

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/christopher-t-shrout-city-manager/

The City of Wyoming worked with CPSM on several occasions. In all cases we found out information about our Police and Fire Departments that directed future decision making and provided the groundwork for the innovative combined department we operate today.

Curtis Holt, City Manager

Author

2018-02-21T11:28:56+00:00

Curtis Holt, City Manager

The City of Wyoming worked with CPSM on several occasions. In all cases we found out information about our Police and Fire Departments that directed future decision making and provided the groundwork for the innovative combined department we operate today.

https://www.cpsm.us/testimonials/curtis-holt-city-manager/

I am extremely pleased with the process facilitation provided by CPSM, serving as technical advisors and human resource specialists throughout the recruitment process. This engagement was truly comprehensive, organized, and professional.

Sam A. Listi, City Manager

Author

2018-02-21T11:20:03+00:00

Sam A. Listi, City Manager

I am extremely pleased with the process facilitation provided by CPSM, serving as technical advisors and human resource specialists throughout the recruitment process. This engagement was truly comprehensive, organized, and professional.